Friday, May 18, 2012

How to Backslide in 9 Easy Steps

A few
days ago I shared John Bunyan’s wisdom on why some who profess faith in Christ eventually
backslide. Today I want to follow him a little bit farther. Having covered
the why,
I’ve now drawn from Pilgrim’s
Progress instruction on the how.
In each case I’ve given my short summary followed by Bunyan’s own words. Here
is how to backslide in nine easy steps:

Stop meditating on the gospel.
“They draw off their thoughts, all that they may, from the remembrance of
God, death, and judgment to come.”

Neglect your devotions and stop
battling sin. “Then they cast off by degrees private duties, as closet
prayer, curbing their lusts, watching, sorrow for sin, and the like.”

Isolate yourself from Christian
fellowship. “Then they shun the company of lively and
warm Christians.”

Stop going to church. “After
that, they grow cold to public duty, as hearing, reading, godly
conference, and the like.”

Determine that Christians are
hypocrites because they continue to sin. “They then begin to pick holes,
as we say, in the coats of some of the godly, and that devilishly, that
they may have a seeming color to throw religion (for the sake of some
infirmities they have espied in them) behind their backs.”

Pursue rebellious conversation
and fellowship. “Then they give way to carnal and wanton discourses in
secret; and glad are they if they can see such things in any that are
counted honest, that they may the more boldly do it through
their example.”

Allow yourself to enjoy some
small, sinful pleasures. “After this they begin to play with little
sins openly.”

Admit what you are and prepare yourself for everlasting torment. “And
then, being hardened, they show themselves as they are. Thus, being launched
again into the gulf of misery, unless a miracle of grace prevent it, they
everlastingly perish in their own deceivings.”

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About Me

Welcome to my musings. I have long considered writing my wanderings in a blog. Like many of you, significant life change can often be the "holy push" you need to take a first step. I hope that something I'm experiencing or simply thinking about is "manna" for your journey.
My personal stats are that I am a wife (to a lovely pastor turned banker whom I know you would like very much), a mother (to a delightful teenager, really!), a communications and strategy consultant (to super smart clients), a friend and confidante.